The new Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art Gallery
Building (MIMA) and adjoining Public Square are part of the
redevelopment of the town centre in Middlesbrough, a community of
approximately 150,000 inhabitants in the North East of
England.

The project is defined by a single public open space, clearly
identifiable with distinct areas, that encourages active use,
strengthens connections with the surrounding streets and supports
pedestrian movement throughout the town centre.

Photo courtesy Erick van Egeraat
Architects

Photo courtesy Erick van Egeraat
Architects

Photo courtesy Erick van Egeraat
Architects

Located on the south side of the Square the new art gallery
represents the first phase of implementing a coherent and vibrant
new cultural quarter with public activities. The gallery houses
Middlesbrough's collection of modern arts and crafts as well as
temporary exhibitions, a café, restaurant, shop and education
spaces.

The building itself is separated into two distinct building parts
reflecting the public and support functions inside, with the
exhibition space overlapping the two and the public foyer linking
them together. The form and materials express this duality of the
concept, while respecting the scale and material of the surrounding
buildings.

Photo courtesy Erick van Egeraat
Architects

Photo courtesy Erick van Egeraat
Architects

Public spaces face the square with the education and
entertainment areas taking advantage of the views. The public side
with the main entrance, café and shop, is spacious, open and
inviting and enables easy access to the gallery.

The layered, transparent facade enhances the openness and the
visual connections between the square, the town, and the gallery's
interior, thus optimising the relationship between MIMA and the
revitalised public and cultural quarter of Middlesbrough. MIMA
serves as a commercial and cultural center for an area of about
650,000 people.

Photo courtesy Erick van Egeraat
Architects

Photo courtesy Erick van Egeraat
Architects

Erick van Egeraat associated architects won the International
competition in 2002.

The public square was designed in collaboration with Dutch
landscape architects West 8.